1. Country Presentation
for the CPR Committee Meeting
Results of UN-Habitat’s work in Angola, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Rwanda
Presented by the Regional Office for Africa
21 March 2018

2. Background
The Regional Office for Africa has the responsibility to coordinate UN-Habitat country activities with all HQ Thematic Branches and to supervise UN-Habitat country teams in sub-Saharan Africa.
UN-Habitat project development at the country level needs to be aligned with:
Globally: the UN-Habitat Strategic Plan, the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Nationally: the United Nations Development Assistance Framework/Programme (UNDAF/UNDAP), within the delivering as One UN context, and the national development priorities set by the government
Donors programmes and priorities in that given country.

3. Rationale
UN-Habitat presence at the country level fully depends on the existing/on-going project portfolio, hence successful fund raising is a precondition to country presence  Challenge: importance of UN-Habitat presence at the country level vs. unpredictable funding  structural fragility
Sustaining a country programme requires:
High relevance & cutting-edge knowledge/expertise
Flexibility to adapt to the local conditions
Acquired trust through increased credibility, consistent delivery of results and long-lasting impact
Establishment of strong partnerships with government, local authorities, UN Agencies, bi/multi-lateral donors, CSOs, academia and the private sector

4. Angola
MoU signed in 2011 resulted in a financial contribution in 2014 to support the development of a National Urban Policy (NUP)
The UN-Habitat Country Programme approved at the President’s Office level. UN-Habitat is the only UN Agency in Angola being funded by the Government
Structuring country programme/policy leading to project development & UN Joint Programming
2016/
2017
2018

5. Ethiopia Objectives Urban and Regional Planning Urban Resilience
Support the
Government of Ethiopia
in implementing the urban component
of GTP II in alignment with SDG 11 and the NUA
Objectives
Urban
and
Regional
Planning
Urban
Resilience
Housing and Urban Basic Services
Urban
Monitoring and Research
Pillars
Cross Cutting
Advocacy - Awareness Raising - Participatory Approach
Capacity Development - Technical Advice - Policy Support

6. Rwanda
MoU signed in Oct to implement the UN-Habitat Country Programme
NUP linked to a Spatial Development Framework
City-wide informal settlements upgrading strategy for Kigali City
Rapid Planning project
Urban LEDS 2
Smart City Master Plan
One Stop Youth Center
Housing construction for Rwandan Returnees

7. Mozambique Demographic boom and a fast urbanising country (32% urban)
60% of the population lives in areas vulnerable to floods, ciclones and drought
UN-Habitat present since 2002 – over 40 projects implemented and 30M usd mobilised; currently country team ranges between staff
Diverse country programme: urban/ regional planning, slum upgrading & basic services, housing, DRR & climate resilience, policy & legislation, capacity building
Current priorities: National Urban Policy; resilient infrastructure; support the National Housing Policy

8. Main characteristics of the country programme and current priorities
From advocacy to demonstration to policy
Resilient construction  influencing the building codes
On-the-job capacity building at the different levels
Credible institution
Strong partnerships (Government, UN, NGOs, WB, bilaterals…)
Current priorities:
Advocate and develop a National Urban Policy
Promote resilient infrastructure
Support the implementation of the National Housing Policy

9. Conclusions and recommendations
(also based on the feedback from the CPR sub-Committee)
Work/presence of UN-Habitat at the country level is relevant to support the implementation of the New Urban Agenda locally
UN-Habitat unique and broad mandate for sustainable urbanisation, a process that interests all human settlements, is an effective tool for increasing our relevance in the field and mobilise resources
At the country level, there is a need to combine both policy/planning support with actual enforcement/ implementation, i.e. combining both normative and operational work as a two-ways relationship
There is a need to look at how to improve rules and regulations to confer more sustainability to UN-Habitat’s country presence and ensure more efficient delivery of results